The use of the faunal resources among the high altitude hunter gatherers of southern Mendoza

During the last 20 years research has been carried out to understand human use of environments located above 3000 masl in the Andean cordillera from southern Mendoza (Argentina). The archaeological record at this elevation is characterized by the presence of habitation structures, high frequency of pottery, non-local goods, late radiocarbon chronology, as well as dependence on big game.

In this presentation we use Optimal Foraging concepts to evaluate alternative hypothesis about the use of faunal resources in such high elevation ecosystems. The archaeofaunal record from Los Peuquenes, El Indígeno, Laguna del Diamante and Risco de los Indios sites, are used to discuss the alternative hypothesis. All these sites are located in the high Andes of South America, near the headwaters of Diamante and Atuel rivers, a ca. 34⁰ SL. The results suggests that high elevation camps were used as base camps and probably with larger stays than was initially expected.